Bear in mind that even IF you currently own an RV, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself RV shopping again. A lot of people change RVs, moving up or down in size, or switching between travel trailers and fifth wheels and motor homes. So even if you already have an RV, it’s always wise to consider the shopping process, and making your next RV deal a good one…

There’s a lot to ponder when purchasing an RV. Although there are similarities with buying a car, it’s not the same. I mean, most of us grow up with some basic knowledge of cars; we all know the difference between a sedan and a SUV, right? But many of us have no clue when it comes to RVs. . Quick, can you tell me the differences between a Class B and a Class C motorhome? Maybe you can now, but you probably couldn’t when you first started looking for an RV.

One of the fundamental issues RV purchasers all confront, sooner or later, is whether to buy a NEW or USED RV. There are valid arguments to be made on both sides. This is ultimately a personal choice. Some might see it as strictly financial, but there’s more involved than just moula. I’ll outline a few pluses and minuses here. (Note that the issue is complicated if you are interested in Airstream travel trailers, since the desirable vintage units are all, by definition, used.)

Advantages to buying a NEW RV:

1. You can choose your preferred model & floor plan
If you’re buying new, you might as well get EXACTLY what you want. Getting an appropriate floor plan for your needs is crucial. Getting a “perfect” floor plan is priceless!

2. You get the latest RV technology.
Okay, at first glance “RV technology” seems a bit of an oxymoron. I mean, the technology of water tanks and propane lines is pretty mature and doesn’t change much from year to year. That said, there may be a few bells & whistles (flat screen TVs, media packages, etc.) on new models. Newer RVs are typically more spacious. (For example, Airstream switched all models to “widebody” dimensions in 1996.) And a few manufacturers push the envelope with regard to innovation. Sure, you may not need that mechanical screen porch that extends at the press of a button, but isn’t it cool?

3. You get a manufacturer’s warranty.
An RV is basically an apartment on wheels. Use it enough, and something will go wrong. Heck, even if you don’t use it, something will go wrong. With a warranty at least the manufacturer will pick up the repair tab.

4. It’s new!
Let’s face it. New is nice, whether it’s a car, tow vehicle, or a RV. When you buy used, there’s always a slight linger of doubt with regard to the unit’s history. Sure, it may appear to have been well maintained — but do you really know? And everyone loves that new car smell.

But what about the USED market? Unlike cars, RVs are not driven daily. Most are not used daily. Heck, many are barely used at all! When shopping for a used RV, it’s possible to find some incredible deals.

TRUE STORY: A friend of mine bought a NEW travel trailer, kept it in storage for a few months, and then resold it for a loss — having NEVER even SLEPT in it! The story is a bit unusual but hardly the only one of its kind. I once met a fellow who bought four year old Airstream Classic that was so new, it still had plastic wrap on the couch. The pre-owned market is replete with nice used RVs that have seen minimal actual usage. If you conduct a patient search, you can find what you want in “like new” condition — at a used price.

Advantages to buying a USED RV:

1. Lower up front cost.
RV values depreciate just like the values of cars, boats, and other such items. One recent depreciation chart states that the average new RV loses 35% off its full MSRP (manufacturer’s suggested retail price) in the first year of ownership. It loses 10% in the second year. So by year three, the RV is already worth 45% less than its original MSRP.

2. Less depreciation.
That depreciation chart I mentioned? It also shows that after the first few years, the depreciation curve levels out considerably. The RV depreciates 10% in year two, 6% in year three, and by year six it depreciates 5% or less annually. In other words, if you buy an RV that’s just a few years old, someone else has already taken the major depreciation hit. Not only do you enter the deal at a more attractive up front price, your rig will hold its value better than a brand new unit.

There’s an excellent financial book called The Millionaire Next Door. The authors studied the behavior and habits of American millionaires, and report their findings in the book. The book’s key message is that frugality and smart shopping lead to a high net worth. The majority of American millionaires NEVER buy new vehicles. They buy used vehicles that have depreciated a bit, so they can instead place their money in assets that will increase in value.

3. Customization
In the Airstream owners community, the hippest trailers are vintage units customized to their owners’ delight. All vintage Airstreams are “used.” Sure, new Airstreams are lovely and offer some amenities not present on the vintage rigs. But vintage units have a style and panache that is simply unmatched.

To a certain extent, the option of customization exists in all RVs, but it makes more sense in a used rig. I mean, if you are buying a new RV, why wouldn’t you just start with the interior you want? With a used rig, there will be fewer pangs of guilt should you decide to replace the flooring or upgrade the cabinetry and recover the couch. To a certain extent, an RV is like a home. You can decorate and renovate it to your desire. If you buy used, you can immediately start making those small changes that make a big difference to you.

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New or Used? Some final thoughts…

As mentioned above, if you want to pick up a hip vintage Airstream, then by definition you will be buying a used unit. Many people buy old Airstreams and renovate the trailers from the shell up. The key is to find one with “good bones,” but that’s another topic of discussion.

Another factor is how long you plan to keep the RV. Are you the type of person who frequently buys and sells this sort of thing? Then buying a brand spankin’ new unit may not make sense, due to the steep initial depreciation. Repeatedly buying and selling new, expensive, rapidly depreciating assets is a recipe for financial disaster.

On the other hand, are you a “buy and hold” type? Do you know EXACTLY what you want? Then maybe it makes sense for you to buy a new RV. Sure, you’ll weather the effects of massive depreciation, but if you are keeping the unit for a long time then it arguably doesn’t matter as much. The cost is amortized over time.

Have you never owned an RV before in your life? If so, then maybe a used model would be the safest bet. (When testing water temperatures, gingerly dip your big toe instead of leaping headfirst into the deep end.)

Have you never RV’d before in your life? Please, try one out before making a purchase. Borrow a friend’s, spend the night in a KOA Airstream, or try one of Cruise America’s motorhome rental deals. It’s definitely wise to try before you buy.

Any thoughts on the NEW versus USED issue? Feel free to chime in…

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Hi Sean and Kristy! Before I introduce myself let me say “thank you” for a wonderful amount of info you guys have provided. My fiance and I have enjoyed watching your videos and reading about your adventures. We are in our 30′s and early 40′s and this will be our 1st RV purchase. We have been looking and educating ourselves over the past three years. Finally we are ready to purchase.

We started out with the idea we just wanted something basic and cheap to use for weekend getaways and small trips during the summer. As we soon learned, cheap looked cheap. We decided that if we were going to invest in an RV we wanted something that would last. So here we are looking at Airstreams! We have both loved the classic and retro look of the Airstream along with the idea of owning an American icon.

Now for our concerns. We are hoping maybe you guys can give some helpful advice.

1) We are currently looking at the 25FB and 27FB Ocean Breeze models of Airstream. We have heard that the 25ft would be better because of size issues in some state/national parks. Have you ever encountered any problems finding a spot?

We’ve never had problems finding a spot with respect to the size of our RV. Our Airstream is a 25-footer — I agree that it’s a good size for the state and national parks. We’ve stayed in the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, the Grand Canyon, etc. without issue. The only problem we’ve had in national parks is the frequent need for a reservation because they are so popular.

I might add that there have been several times we’ve squeezed our Airstream into a parking space and exclaimed, “Whew - we couldn’t have done that with a 34-footer!” This is the persistent trade-off with regard to RV size. At times, inevitably, you will long for more space. But at other times you’ll appreciate having a more nimble rig. The 25-footer is a good compromise.

2) We’ve been reading about filiform corrosion? Have you heard of this or experienced this with your unit?

For the uninitiated, filiform corrosion is corrosion of the aluminum skin of the Airstream. We have a little filiform corrosion on our Airstream. It’s mildly annoying, but ours is a pretty mild case. Personally I think this issue is a little bit overblown on Internet forums. Maybe I just have that perspective because ours is a mild case (only noticeable in minor areas), but I don’t think it’s a big deal.

If you are particularly worried about it, Google the issue, do a little homework, and steer clear of certain model years. If you are looking at a new Airstream, I think they have the issue under control. But by all means, ask the salesman and make certain.

3) We really like to explore when traveling. Have you guys ever had issues such as trying to find a place park your Airstream? Do you guys always plan ahead and make reservations at parks or do you wing it? Do you do a lot of boondocking? We would enjoy boondocking more as we do it now with our SUV and tent. We are just concerned with the length of a truck trailer combo vs a small motorhome. We have been told by a couple of salesmen that if we enjoy moving around more that a motorhome would probably be a better way to go. Expense wise, we would be spending about the same amount of money because if we go the Airstream route, like you, I need a new diesel truck.

We typically “wing it” with regard to our agenda, but if we want a campsite we also call ahead for same day reservations. Our typical plan is to find a site (whether it’s boondocking or paid) and unhitch, then we do the exploring in our truck. We do a lot of exploring when Airstream camping…but not with the trailer hitched.

The truck & Airstream combo is a lot of rig to handle. I mean, our truck & trailer have a combined length of around 45-feet. You won’t be taking it through the local Starbucks drive-thru. When you tow it demands your undivided concentration. And the hitching/unhitching process takes some time. After two years, I can do it blindfolded with the speed of a NASCAR pit crew — but that doesn’t mean I want to do it any more often than necessary.

Since you already do the SUV & tent thing, maybe a camper van like a VW Westfalia (or an Airstream Interstate) would be right for you. That’s a matter of personal preference and your intended uses of the RV. When you think about the ways people RV, there’s a huge range of usage — from weekend camping trips to full-time living. Some people park their RV for months at a time; others are constantly on the go.

Consider the smaller Class B motorhomes, for example. A small motorhome has its own drawbacks as well as advantages. In theory you are “more mobile” in a motorhome, right? But at the same time, what if you are settled into a campsite and have your electricity, water, & sewer attached? What if your stabilizer jacks are down? Your motorhome is literally tethered to the campsite. You will need to detach the water & electricity & sewer before leaving. With an Airstream you set it up once when you arrive, and then you are finished until you depart. You “explore” in your tow vehicle.

And by the way, I love love love having a diesel pickup truck. Yes, I was forced to buy SEEMORE for our Airstream travels, but now we use the truck daily whether we’re camping or not. We often wonder how we got along without it. If you’ve never owned a pickup, I suspect you will feel the same way.

For the extent of time we’ve spent with our RV, I’m glad we chose an Airstream travel trailer. The 25-foot length has served us well, being both mobile and reasonably spacious. And with a little luck, it’ll last forever. But people have traveled around the world in far less. In the end, only you can decide what works best for you.

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No matter what kind of RV you own, it’s always interesting to view other options. What frequently impresses me about the RV industry is the sheer overwhelming variety of options. These choices are either wonderful or baffling, depending on your point of view.

Let’s take this opportunity to review the major types of RV.

1. Travel Trailer
I’ve listed travel trailer as the first type of RV simply because we own one. Am I biased? Perhaps. The travel trailer is the oldest existing RV design. But it ain’t broke. So why fix it?

The bad news is they have no motor, so obviously travel trailers must be towed.

The good news is that they have no motor, so that’s one servicing headache that’s removed from the equation.

2. Pop-Up Camper
Pop-up campers are also towable RVs. They derive their name from their ability to fold down and compress to a very tow friendly size. You can tow pop-up campers with ordinary cars, bicycles, and even tricycles in some cases. When they “pop up” at your campsite, they expand to form an RV of significant size and amenities. These pop-ups are the least expensive method of RVing. They are easy to tow, and provide a nice comfortable camping space for anywhere from one to 50 adults. (Okay, that’s a slight exaggeration, but we have been surprised at how many people we’ve seen pile into pop-up campers.)

3. Fifth Wheel
Fifth Wheels are like travel trailers on steroids. They are towable RVs in which the hitch configuration allows the trailer to be attached over the truck’s rear wheels. This make them stable from a towing perspective, if not particularly aerodynamic. To tow a fifth wheel, you pretty much NEED a truck. The interior cabin of the typical fifth wheel is outrageously cavernous. These things are designed for long term living, and boast more storage space than the average warehouse. If William Hearst was alive and RVing, he’d probably build a Fifth Wheel Castle.

3. Class B Motorhome
Class B motorhomes are van campers. Repeast after me: “If it looks like a van, but it’s an RV, it’s a Class B.” (Hey, that phrase rhymes! We should trademark it.)

Sometimes Class B van campers boast puzzling price tags. Let’s see… For $100,000 I could buy a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet… OR a van with a couch and a toilet. Hmmmm….

4. Class C Motorhome
Class C motorhomes are built on a cutaway van chassis. These RVs look like an ordinary van gave birth to a motorhome. For reasons that make sense to no one, Class C are typically larger than Class B, but smaller than Class A. Who the heck designed this class system, anyway? Shouldn’t we strive for a class free society? Or at least a society in which classes make sense?

5. Class A Motorhome
These are the Mac Daddy motorhomes. If you see a motorhome that looks like suitable housing for a 16-member rock band, it’s a Class A. These motorhomes can be quite impressive, with the Prevost conversions carrying price tags north of one million dollars. The amount of living space is about the same as any other RV, but they often offer substantial storage options beneath the rig. And if you ever need some extra cash, you can rent them out to Greyhound, or Bon Jovi.

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All of the above RVs can be modified via slide-outs. What are slide-outs? Slide-outs are portions of the RV that literally slide outwards from the center axis, creating more living space inside the RV. When you’re in an RV, every square inch of space counts. So slide-outs are an attractive option for many.

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